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Average

#1350 of 1,986 schools in MN

W.h.a. Elementary

Elementary School · WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SCHL. DIST

BOX 4000, Walker, MN 56484

Enrollment

388

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Walker

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#759 of 962

In district

#2 of 2

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SCHL. DIST

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About W.h.a. Elementary

W.H.A. Elementary is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Walker, Minnesota, within Cass County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 388 students.

With a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, W.H.A. Elementary provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The school employs 37 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the academic development of their students.

W.H.A. Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.1 out of 10, placing it in the 43rd percentile among Minnesota schools. In terms of academic performance, 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% meet proficiency standards in Math.

These scores indicate that there is room for growth and improvement in student achievement. The school’s setting amidst a rural community provides a unique environment where children can benefit from close-knit relationships within the local community. W.H.A.

Elementary offers a warm and supportive educational experience, fostering a strong sense of belonging among its students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, W.h.a. Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,221

W.h.a. Elementary — Students at W.h.a. Elementary score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
45%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
40%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.

How W.h.a. Elementary Compares

See how W.h.a. Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in MN
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

BOX 4000, Walker, MN 56484

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering W.h.a. Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LAPORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Laporte), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEVIS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Nevis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 28.3 miles away, in nearby Bemidji), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Walker, see our Walker schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 29.6 mi
School Distance Rating
WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker 0.1 mi 6.3
Up North Learning Center Walker 2.0 mi
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walker 4.0 mi
LAPORTE ELEMENTARY Laporte 11.5 mi 7.8
LAPORTE SECONDARY Laporte 11.5 mi 4.7
Laporte Middle School Laporte 11.5 mi 5.7
CASS LAKE-BENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cass Lake 18.0 mi 5.3
CASS LAKE-BENA SECONDARY Cass Lake 18.0 mi 7.3
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Backus 19.2 mi 6.4
CASS LAKE-BENA AREA LRNG. CNTR. Cass Lake 19.5 mi 6.9
CASS LAKE-BENA ELEMENTARY Cass Lake 19.6 mi 5.4
NEVIS ELEMENTARY Nevis 15.5 mi 7.5
NEVIS SECONDARY Nevis 15.5 mi 7.3
Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School Bena 22.2 mi
Pine River-Backus ALP Pine River 26.8 mi 6.0
PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL Pine River 26.9 mi 5.8
PINE RIVER-BACKUS ELEMENTARY Pine River 26.9 mi 5.7
HORACE MAY ELEMENTARY Bemidji 25.9 mi 4.4
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Bemidji 28.3 mi 7.5
Lakeside Learning Center Bemidji 29.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56484 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,688

Median Home Value

$292,900

Median Rent

$625/mo

Population

3,252

College Educated

32.1%

Homeownership

78.8%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Median Age

55.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding W.h.a. Elementary has a median household income of $64,688. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,900, with a median rent of $625/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BRAHAM ELEMENTARY Braham, MN 5.6
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY Richfield, MN 5.6
Minnesota Virtual Academy Elementar Houston, MN 5.6
NEW HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY East Grand Forks, MN 5.6
RICHFIELD DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL Richfield, MN 5.6
EDEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY Eden Valley, MN 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about W.h.a. Elementary

What grades does W.h.a. Elementary serve?

W.h.a. Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend W.h.a. Elementary?

W.h.a. Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 388 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at W.h.a. Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at W.h.a. Elementary is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does W.h.a. Elementary rank in MN?

W.h.a. Elementary is ranked #1350 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is W.h.a. Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

W.h.a. Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at W.h.a. Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, W.h.a. Elementary has 36.3% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is W.h.a. Elementary a charter school?

No, W.h.a. Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is W.h.a. Elementary a Title I school?

No, W.h.a. Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W.h.a. Elementary?

67.5% of students at W.h.a. Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,016/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Walker). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
388
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SCHL. DIST
District Enrollment
688
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,418
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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